Fireplaces become dirty.  There is no way to escape this truth.  Over time, excessive amount of ash, soot and other debris get deposited around the firebox of the fireplace. This mess is not only an eyesore, but could be dangerous to the health.   You could hire a chimney contractor to periodically clean your chimney and fireplace, but this might not be financially feasible.

Fireplace cleaning

Fireplace cleaning is one of the mandatory tasks. Hiring a professional fireplace cleaner for annual fireplace cleaning and inspection is important, but as a homeowner, you also have some responsibilities towards your fireplace.

A fireplace does not require much maintenance and cleaning to stay in a healthy working condition. Once in a week cleaning is enough for keeping the fireplace safe and clean. Here are a few tips for homeowners to keep their fireplace clean.

Fireplace cleaning tips

Remove the ash: If you use a wood burning fireplace, then it is very much important for you to clean ash from your fireplace. Clean ash every week. While removing the ash from your fireplace, ensure that ash has cooled. Use vacuum cleaner to accomplish this task.

Clean the fireplace glass: After some time, the protective glass becomes cloudy and dull. Make the glass shine using a wet cloth. If your fireplace glass has stubborn deposit, clean it using vinegar or detergent. However, do not abrade the glass. It will make scratches on the beautiful glass of your fireplace.

Tip: Always make sure that fireplace glass has cooled before you start cleaning. Otherwise, you may get badly burned.

Clean the surrounding area: If brickwork surrounds your fireplace, spray down some water on the bricks. When you burn wood in your fireplace, harmful chemicals are liberated along with the smoke. By spraying water on the brickwork, you sweep off those chemicals. This will avoid chemicals to react with the bricks and eliminate any potential problems.

These are some easy fireplace cleaning tips. In order to know more about fireplace cleaning and safety, you can consult with a certified chimney sweeper. A professional chimney sweeper can guide you regarding the best practices of using chimney and fireplace.